Crimson Tide opened the season as the AP No. 1 three times under Nick Saban, and there's a good chance that happens again in 2017. Jalen Hurts’ progression under new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian...

10. Georgia

Here’s the team that will be talked about than anybody else in the offseason. Running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel stayed in school, and Jacob Eason should make a big jump as a sophomore. At least, that’s what we’re counting on.

11. LSU

Ed Orgeron’s first full season as head coach should be successful, especially if it continues to revolve around Heisman Trophy candidate Derrius Guice. The Tigers should be in good shape early, but the November schedule is brutal.

14. Florida

Gators have won back-to-back SEC East Division championships, but lost some key defensive pieces to the NFL Draft. Yet Jim McElwain’s team seems to find a way in those games that shape the division race.

19. Auburn

We’ll find out if Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham can compete for the starting job, but the tandem of running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson should continue making big plays

24. Tennessee

Vols have to replace a lot of talent, so Butch Jones’ recruiting must show through in a tough September that includes games against Georgia Tech...

17. TennesseeVolunteers fell short of most preseason expectations of a SEC East title in 2016, but coach Butch Jones has still pieced together back-to-back nine-win seasons. In order for Tennessee to edge Florida and Georgia in the East next year, this team has to navigate a schedule that features games at Alabama and Florida, while LSU and Georgia visit Neyland Stadium. Additionally, the Volunteers will have a new play-caller on offense and a quarterback battle this offseason between Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano. The offensive line returns mostly intact, and John Kelly is a player to watch at running back...

16. FloridaGators have claimed back-to-back SEC East titles under coach Jim McElwain, and a third one is within reach. In order to beat Georgia or Tennessee for the East crown, improvement on offense is a must. Florida finished 100th nationally in scoring in 2015 and 107th in 2016. Luke Del Rio is the team’s most experienced quarterback, but Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask (both redshirt freshmen) will press the junior for the starting nod in the spring. Regardless of which quarterback wins the starting job, expect to see a lot of running back Jordan Scarlett and receiver Antonio Callaway. The offensive line also is improving, but tackle David Sharpe left early for the NFL. McElwain has holes to fill on defense at each level and a new coordinator calling the plays in 2017.

14. AuburnAuburn had an up-and-down 2016 season, with injuries to quarterback Sean White and running back Kamryn Pettway derailing the offense in November. The Tigers started 1-2 before winning six in a row, followed by a 1-3 finish to the season. Coach Gus Malzahn needs more out of the passing attack in 2017 and landed a potential All-SEC quarterback in Jarrett Stidham. After one year at Baylor, Stidham left the program and spent 2016 out of football at a junior college.

13. GeorgiaSEC East will be a tight, three-team battle between Georgia, Florida and Tennessee next fall. For now, the Bulldogs get the nod as our early favorite to claim the division title. The schedule for coach Kirby Smart’s team does feature a couple of tough road trips with games at Tennessee, Notre Dame and Auburn. However, the offense should take a step forward with quarterback Jacob Eason having a full offseason to work as the starter. The return of running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel ensure the ground game will be one of the best in the SEC. Georgia’s defense is expected to return nearly all of its key contributors from a unit that limited opponents to 24 points a game in 2016.

12. LSUEd Orgeron’s first full season at the helm in Baton Rouge begins with a similar question: What will LSU get out of its offense? It’s no secret the Tigers have one of the nation’s top running backs in Derrius Guice and a strong foundation to build around on the offensive line. New coordinator Matt Canada was a strong hire, but this offense needs more from its passing attack. Can Danny Etling hold onto the starting quarterback spot? There’s also uncertainty at receiver, as more depth is needed and Malachi Dupre could leave for the NFL. LSU’s defense under Dave Aranda will be one of the best in the nation next fall.

1. AlabamaSaban’s team has a few key pieces to replace going into the 2017 season, but as usual, the Crimson Tide aren’t hurting for talent. New play-caller Steve Sarkisian will continue to build the offense around quarterback Jalen Hurts. With a full year to develop as the starter, expect Hurts to improve as a passer in 2017. And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a standout supporting cast in place, as Hurts will be throwing to Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart, while handing off to Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs at running back. Cam Robinson is a big loss at left tackle, but Jonah Williams started every game as a true freshman and could flip from right tackle. The losses on defense are more significant. End Jonathan Allen, linebackers Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams must be replaced. The secondary should be a strength with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Harrison anchoring the group. The schedule also breaks in Alabama’s favor. Crimson Tide host LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas and Ole Miss and play Florida State at a neutral site (Atlanta).

1. AlabamaLosing the national title game won’t have any effect on the Crimson Tide’s standing next August. Nick Saban’s team will bring back its starting quarterback, top two running backs and top two receivers on offense...

7. AuburnThe Jarett Stidham Era is set to begin, and he’s going to get plenty of help from the Tigers’ elite running back duo of Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson.

12. FloridaGators have fielded an excellent defense and plenty of talent at the offensive skill positions in two consecutive seasons. 2017 should be no different. McElwain’s missing ingredient has been consistent quarterback play. He’ll be hard-pressed to find it next fall.

13. LSURunning back Derrius Guice surpassed Leonard Fournette in importance as the season dragged on, and will be one of the SEC’s primary Heisman candidates in what figures to be his final season in Baton Rouge. There’s still a big question mark at quarterback for Ed Orgeron, and the front seven will rely on a handful of rising sophomores.

16. GeorgiaIt’s prove-it time for Kirby Smart. 10 of 11 defensive starters are expected back. On the other side of the ball, All-SEC back Nick Chubb is returning for a final season, and rising sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason figures to improve.

23. TennesseeMuch has been made of the Vols’ high-profile departures (Josh Dobbs, Alvin Kamara, Josh Malone, Derek Barnett and Cam Sutton), and rightfully so. But the majority of the starters are coming back, and Butch Jones’ red-hot seat means this team knows it needs to win immediately.

no SEC team outside of Tuscaloosa carried as much heat as Vanderbilt. Derek Mason used November wins over Ole Miss and rival Tennessee to undergo a swift transformation from potential chopping block victim to “it” coach, and his offense appeared to have reemerged from a two-and-a-half year stint in creative purgatory.

Monday, the optimism fizzled out with an embarrassing 41-17 loss against North Carolina State in the Independence Bowl.

Those looking forward to a big jump in 2017 were brought back down to Earth as sophomore quarterback Kyle Shurmur (19 of 46 for 158 yards, no touchdowns and 3 interceptions) turned in perhaps the worst performance of his career and Mason’s defense — excellent in 2015 but pedestrian this fall — collapsed against a middle-of-the-road ACC team that had not hit the 40-point mark against an FBS opponent this year.

Vanderbilt’s 2017 conference schedule opens with a home game against Alabama on Sept. 23.

The Crimson Tide have not lost in Nashville since 1969, going 35-1 overall vs. the Commodores in that time. As long as Nick Saban is still on the ‘Bama sideline, Vanderbilt is going to start 0-1 in SEC play. Then, there’s a key back-to-back stretch at Florida and vs. Georgia which could very well lead to an 0-3 mark that sinks the ‘Dores before they can take a deep breath.

There is a bit of good news, too, though: Vanderbilt might have the easiest November schedule of any SEC team. Western Kentucky, Kentucky and Missouri all visit Nashville before Vanderbilt packs up and buses to Knoxville for the annual Tennessee-Vandy rivalry game on Thanksgiving weekend.

8. Arkansas: Four key defensive linemen on the Razorbacks' two-deep will be gone, as will middle linebacker Brooks Ellis, so finding quality options to succeed the departed will be key. Offensively this team is in good shape with a backfield of Austin Allen, Rawleigh Williams III and Devwah Whaley all returning. All but one starting offensive lineman (Dan Skipper) is back, including center Frank Ragnow, one of the nation's best. That's huge. -- S.K.

6. Arkansas: Razorbacks were horrible on defense and soft on the lines last season, which is a horrible trend in Bret Bielema's fourth season. It's possible Arkansas bounces back in 2017, but things are trending the wrong way.

7. Ole Miss: Things could be on the verge of falling apart in Oxford, where the NCAA...

8. Arkansas: It's no secret that the 2016 season was a major disappointment in Fayetteville. The ending was terrible, with a loss to Missouri and blowing a 24-0 lead over Virginia Tech in the bowl game. Signing day was a success with the signing of No. 1 junior college wide receiver Brandon Martin and No. 1 junior college tight end Jeremy Patton and getting ESPN 300 cornerback Chevin Calloway away from Texas.

Evaluating Arkansas is difficult. The Razorbacks have long-term answers at quarterback and running back, but the rest of the roster is in question. Three out of four starting defensive linemen and four of the top five wide receivers are gone. Luckily, 4-star junior college wide receiver Brandon Martin will make an immediate impact. Returning four of five offensive linemen should fortify what was an inconsistent position group last year. However, Bret Bielema needs results now or the pressure will rise.

Malzahn, entering his fifth season as head coach and eighth overall at Auburn, reeled in another top 10 recruiting class last week on National Signing Day. Twenty-three players he feels will add to an already solid foundation.

"We have quality depth here, really probably quality depth in all three phases, maybe for the first time since I've been here," Malzahn said at the tail end of Auburn's National Signing Day broadcast. "So, there won't be the stress on these guys to to come in and do it immediately. Now, a lot of these guys will help and a lot of these guys will be in the mix, but our just depth -- our depth's in great shape as far as our program. Add in this group to what we've got, I mean I think we've got a chance to really do something special in the next three or four years."

Nine players in Auburn's 2017 recruiting class are already enrolled, including transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The four-star dual-threat played his freshman season at Baylor in 2015. Now on the Plains, he is expected to compete with returning starter Sean White and backup John Franklin III...

"Our offensive staff's going to get right back at it and get ready," he said. "I'm ready to get back on the field with the guys and I think our guys are too. You can just kind of sense that excitement when you've got a chance to win a championship you kind of sense that excitement from a coaches standpoint and a player's standpoint. We're ready to get out there."

Ole MissSimply put, the Rebels are already disqualified from a trip to Atlanta because of their one-year postseason ban. But even if they could get to Atlanta, few would pick them after last year's 5-7 record, especially with defensive questions still lingering and a road schedule that features Alabama, Auburn and State.

ArkansasWe really don't know what to make of the Razorbacks...

A&MOh, man. We've been bitten too much by the Aggies. Those 5-0 starts and 8-5 finishes were painful, but last year's 6-0 start and 8-5 finish was the last straw...

LSUThere's still a lot of talent in Baton Rouge, but you better believe that the jury is still very much out on Ed Orgeron...

AuburnWe've seen this all before: Gus Malzahn has a hotshot quarterback, and the defense should be one of the league's best. Last time Auburn was in this situation, the Tigers went 7-6 in 2015 and won just two league games.

TennesseeWhy aim to be SEC champs when another Champions of Life title is on the line?

ESPN updated its Football Power Index rankings to incorporate “returning starters and recruiting rankings for each team to project the best teams and units in 2017.” In the latest version, Auburn is ranked No. 5 in the nation.

“The Tigers return 15 starters and bring in former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham as part of the No. 9 recruiting class,” ESPN’s Stats & Information wrote. “With the No. 5 offense, No. 7 special teams and No. 10 defense, Auburn joins Ohio State and Alabama as the only schools projected to have three top-10 units.”

With the first 112 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, the 32 teams combined to select the entire 2016 Alabama defense.

Or so it seemed.

Seven members of that special defense were chosen in the first four rounds Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It would've been more had Da'Ron Payne and Minkah Fitzpatrick been eligible.

even players from the same defense were chosen in the top half OF THE SAME DRAFT.

It's no wonder last year's Crimson Tide defense made a deep run at all-time greatness but - without the injured Jackson - came up one second, one play, one stop short...

That's an astounding amount of talent to lose from one unit in one year. It's not unprecedented - LSU had eight defensive players drafted in 2013 - but it has to be a serious concern for Saban and coordinator Jeremy Pruitt looking forward to the 2017 season.

Even a program recruiting at such an unparalleled level has to feel the loss of that many big-time players who made big-time plays in big-time games. You don't replace that kind of ability, knowledge and toughness quickly or easily.

After losing six draft picks, the 2010 Alabama defense gave up 1.8 more points and 41 more yards a game than the outstanding 2009 unit. After losing six more draft picks, the 2012 Alabama defense surrendered 2.7 more points and 66.4 more yards a game than the elite 2011 group.

8. Arkansas: Austin Allen could be one of the top three quarterbacks in the SEC, and he'll have one of the league's best centers in Frank Ragnow. With Paul Rhoads taking over a perennially underachieving defense, there's reason to believe the Razorbacks could put together a solid season.

T-3. LSU: Ed Orgeron can say all he wants about how the offense beat up on the defense all spring, but the evidence says otherwise. Danny Etling & Co. put together a weak performance...

10. Ole Miss: Good luck getting a gauge on the Rebs these days. Shea Patterson could be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in our nation, and it might not make a difference

ESPN senior college football writer Mark Schlabach has Auburn as the No. 10 team in the country heading into the 2017 season - impressed by new Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

“I think we’re strong overall on defense, with almost all starters returning and good young players replacing backups who graduated. We are deep on the DL, solid at both inside and outside LB. A healthy Dominick Sanders gives me confidence at safety. Having two quality running backs returning (we all know their names) is big. [Jacob] Eason should be improved and the new kid [Jake Fromm] is good enough to step in if he had to. The kickers should be OK, and I like that Smart introduced competition to keep the veterans from becoming complacent.”

Concerns for Owen “are OL, receivers and overall special teams play. I hope we develop offensive balance with a stronger and more creative passing attack. We could be good enough to win the East this year, which I’d rate as ‘exceeds expectations.’ I’m doubtful we can win the SEC..."

This year’s team has the athleticism and upside to make up for the losses on the defensive line and wide receiver, and there’s still enough explosion to hang around with just about everyone.

Texas A&M is going to be good enough to win the West — but it’s been good enough to win the West for a while, and it hasn’t happened.

The schedule works out, though, with Alabama and Auburn coming to College Station, and with the dangerous road games at Ole Miss and LSU coming at the end. By late November, if those two games matter for A&M in any way for the SEC West title, things will be going well.

Auburn football hype train isn’t making any scheduled stops in Las Vegas this offseason.

Since the end of spring practice, Auburn has been trending up in preseason polls and predictions nationally. Athlon Sports recently called the Tigers “the biggest threat to Alabama in the SEC.” ESPN’s Mark Schlabach put them in his updated top 10. Two advanced ratings systems have done the same.

Since 2005, Georgia is one of only five teams to be included in the AP Preseason Top 25 on an annual basis, along with LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Southern Cal.

Of those five teams, Georgia is the only one to not appear in a national championship game during that span. Not only that, it’s the only team with double-digit appearances in the Preseason Top 25 that hasn’t made it to a title game.

The order was voted on by the SEC East's seven sports information directors. Schools could not vote for themselves.

No. 7 MissouriMissouri received all six last-place votes after a 4-8 record in 2016.

T-4. TennesseeTennessee was the popular pick to win the East last year, but a three-game losing streak in the middle of the season dropped the Volunteers to a second place finish. This year, the SEC's SIDs are far less bullish on Tennessee's chances to win the East. The Volunteers had more fifth-place votes (2) than second-place (1).

No. 3 Kentucky

No. 1 GeorgiaGeorgia received four first-place and two second-place votes to take the top spot...

No. 7 Ole MissWith an NCAA investigation clouding its offseason and creating uncertainty about its future viability, Ole Miss appears to be stuck in a downward spiral.

No. 6 Mississippi StateBulldogs have a new defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham. And Nick Fitzgerald is back at quarterback. But few are bullish on State...

No. 5 Arkansas

No. 4 A&MBoom-or-bust Aggies could be in for another up-and-down season. Head coach Kevin Sumlin appears to be on the hot seat and there will be another change at quarterback. Receiver Christian Kirk and running back Trayveon Williams...

No. 3 AuburnAuburn, which received four second-place votes...

No. 2 LSUThe expectations will be high for Ed Orgeron in his first full season as LSU’s coach. The Tigers received one first-place vote and are once again loaded with talent.

12. Ole MissThere was a consensus on Ole Miss among SEC football information directors: the Rebels probably are going to be pretty bad.

8. ArkansasThis team plays Alabama and Auburn in back-to-back games the sixth and seventh weeks of the season. A win against either of those two teams...

7. TennesseeVolunteers come in at seventh in the 71st annual SEC Football Report, and that might be a little high considering Tennessee's returning starters and lack of consistency under coach Butch Jones.

t-2. LSULSU received 142 points from SEC football information directors, including one first-place vote, four second-place votes, two third-place votes and five votes for fourth place.

The first-place vote slightly skews the consensus on LSU, which begins its first full season under coach Ed Orgeron.

“Alabama does not have very many dangerous games,” Finebaum said on ESPN on Sunday. “Really the opener against FSU and the closer at Auburn, a place where the Tide lost four years ago. Other than that, most of the other games are going to be laughers.”

The Crimson Tide will face the Seminoles in the season opener at the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, starting off with an opponent that also has a spot in the College Football Playoff on its mind. The Seminoles are loaded, and should be ranked high in the preseason polls.

“Alabama is going to be No. 1 and I don’t think it’s going to be close,” Finebaum said. “The most interesting thing is will Florida State be No. 2. We’ve never had a 1 vs. 2 matchup in the opening weekend. We always get that in the final game. This could be the first time. Alabama’s a 5.5- to 6.5-point favorite and I think that’s a very dangerous game.”